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The Vancouver Canucks first ever game at the Pacific Coliseum was in 1970. 25 years later they found a new home at GM Place.

It was an end of an era. The Canucks’ final game at the old Pacific Coliseum happened 20 years ago today, May 27, 1995. I wish I could say I was there, but I was a struggling student and I couldn’t afford the tickets. However, I think I went to more Canucks games that year than I ever did in a single season, pre-season ticket holder days.

I had many great memories at the Rink of Renfrew, but it’s no question the biggest one was Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final in 1994 and the Canucks forced a Game 7 against the New York Rangers. Two guys with the same name, spelled differently, both scored twice that night to beat NYR 4-1. Jeff Brown and Geoff Courtnall stole the show. I remember being in tears thinking they were going back to New York for Game 7. I was 19 years old. It was the time of my life and that team was so inspiring. I’m sure many of you old enough to remember the old rink have many memories over the years there too.

Game 6 vs the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final was my most favourite memory at the Rink on Renfrew.

In 1995-1996 season, the Canucks were moving into their downtown arena, GM Place. They were saying goodbye to Pacific Coliseum and to an era that built a new generation of Canucks fans.

The Canucks were in the Western Semi-finals against the Chicago Blackhawks after getting past St. Louis in the 1st Round. Roman Oksiuta had the game of his career in a losing effort. He scored twice that night, along with a tally from Jeff Brown.However, it was Chicago familiars, Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chelios who score for Chicago and two former Canucks came back to haunt their old team, Gerald Diduck and Murray Craven scored to make it 4-3. Chelios scored the game and series winner as the Blackhawks swept the Canucks in their final game ever at Pacific Coliseum.

Roman Oksiuta scored twice that night only to lose in OT against the Blackhawks in the Canucks last ever game at the PNE.

It’s great I can still watch hockey there, as it now houses the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, but it’s where my love for hockey and the Canucks started and it will always be a special place for me, and for many fellow Canucks fans. What were your favourite memories? We’d love to hear about them.

Yes it’s that time of the year again, and at this time we all reflect about the year passed. I’ll say one thing for me, it’s been good, bad, and ugly. All things occurring, I have to take responsibility and credit. I’ve had a great year getting back into doing what I love most, writing. I want to thank Brian and Canuckscorner.com for giving the opportunity to continue to hone my skills and write about my favourite sports franchise in the world, the Vancouver Canucks.

I’m going to take a trip down memory lane today and talk about my 27 year tenure of being a Canucks fan. My most memorable moments, not just on the ice, but just as a fan. As I read, in another blog and article, the Canucks mean a lot to my life. In fact, I got the privilege to be a part of the Canucks family via work at one point in my life.

Sports and particularly hockey have been a big point of bonding with my father, who didn’t have any sons, so he took his eldest daughter to all the sporting events he could muster. Well, Dad, I just want to say it worked. I am now more of a fanatic than you are. Thank you, Dad. I miss you and I will see you soon!

10) A Canucks Fan is Born: Before I was a Canucks fan I was a Winnipeg Jets fan, and my first ever NHL game I can recollect was at the Pacific Coliseum. It was the Canucks vs. Jets and I was so excited. My father got us great seats. Section G row 11. Oddly enough those were my season tickets to the Giants. I remember I fell in love with the Canucks that night. They were my new team. I was amazed by the play of two players in particular, #12 Stan Smyl and probably my early favourite #23 Thomas Gradin. We didn’t win that night, but I remember Gradin scoring 2 goals and I was hooked. This was the moment I was hooked as a Canucks fan. That was 1981, a 6 year old Canuck junkie was born.

9) Canucks and Friendships: My first Canucks game with my friends without my father. It was 1985, I was 10 years old and our neighbourhood parents decided to buy a block of tickets for us neighbourhood kids to go to a game together. These were the days our parents could drop us off at the arena and pick us up after the game and be safe. It was an exciting time, we all had a blast. The Canucks actually beat the Oilers that night and were in rare form. I got the see Wayne Gretzky not score a goal that night. It was a rarity indeed. I remember my friend Mike yelling, “I’m a Canucks fan for life!”.Great time, good memories

8) Birth of Towel Power: Although I wasn’t there, I got to see this on TV, but I’m sure all Canucks fan remember Roger Nielsen’s “white towel” surrender to the officials. It was Chicago stadium, I was at home watching it with my family. When the Canucks came home to the Pacific Coliseum, my dad took me to that game and I’ve never seen so many white towels being swung ever. The Canucks came home to a hero’s welcome. I was just very fortunate to be a part of it. Towel Power was born.

7) The 1982 Cup Run: Being 7 years old, it was more about the excitement that surrounded me than the actual games themselves. The Canucks were a bunch of muckers and grinders with a few talent players here and there. Nothing like the Stanley Cup Final opponents in the Islanders. The Islanders were THE team back in those days. Although we were slaughtered in the finals in a sweep, I will never forget Bernie Pascal and his enthusiasm during his sports broadcasts talking about how this lunch bucket team has captured the hearts and imagination of the city.

6) Los Angeles 1988: I got to see Wayne Gretzky live for the first time as an LA King at the Great Western Forum. My dad had made that trip to see the Lakers and the Celtics with my uncle, and he saw how much I wanted to go and so he packed me up in the car and drove down to LA with him and my uncle. We went to the Lakers game the night before, which they won, and then got tickets to watch “The Great One” as an LA King for the first time. That was a new era in hockey. Gretzky scored two that night against the St Louis Blues.

5) Pavel Bure’s first game: I’ll never forget his first game at the Pacific Coliseum. It was against my old Winnipeg Jets. Wow. I was off my seat so much I must have hit the end of it when it was raised a few times too many that night. I was 16 years old. The Russian Rocket was the most exciting player to ever put on a Canuck uniform bar none. Many good memories of the Russian Rocket, but seeing him for the first time that night, I knew he was the real deal.

4) Sweden 2000 Canucks Training Camp: Luckily for me, I was given the opportunity to go Sweden in 2000 and watch the Canucks do their training camp and part of their pre-season there. It was the first time I got to see the Sedins and of course Stockholm, Ornkoldsvik and many other things in Sweden. Fascinating trip, outside of Canada, I don’t think there is a county that loves their hockey as much as the Swedes.

3) 2005 IIHF World Championships, Austria: Loving my work very much at this point and also my very last assignment for this conglomerate, I was able to see international hockey with NHL stars. It was the lockout year. I balanced my time between babysitting our favourite broadcaster and hanging out and getting some fantastic interviews with members of all the teams involved. I must say the one that I had with Brenden Morrison, his wife Erin and his parents, who live in Europe, one of the most fun. It was unfortunate that the Canadians didn’t win that tournament, but it showed how much the Czech team wanted to win it in front of many of their fans.

2) 1994 Stanley Cup Run: I know that this would be most peoples’ favourite hockey memory if you’re a Canucks fan, but it’s only second compared to mine for very personal reasons. That run captured the imagination of not just the city but of the whole entire nation. From the Calgary series when Robert Reichel was stoned by Kirk McLean and Bure’s winner in OT, from the Toronto series, the hardest fought 6 games and finally that heart breaking loss in the game 7 at MSG. I remember being at the airport and waiting for the team and they were applauded. I remember my friend getting arrested for lewd conduct on Robson Street, prior to the disgraceful rioting. It was just a magical run, it was just so sad, and to this day it still hurts, that the Canucks didn’t have the gas to finish the race.

1) January 2001, My Daughter’s first Canucks Game: Yes, this has got to be most memorable moment. My then three year old daughter was hooked on hockey. It was great to see her cheer for our boys and see her reaction to the crowd and take in the atmosphere of a hockey game. She got her hot dog, her drink, her Canucks shirt and she was all set and very happy. Passing on the love of hockey to my child to me is my most fond memory. It’s wonderful to know that she can share something I am so passionate about.

Yeah those are some pretty big memories for me as a hockey fan, and especially a Canuck fan. I just wanted to share them with you all out there. Remember why you love this team and why you love hockey. It’s beyond what goes on in the game.